Sevenoaks School vs City of London school

[june79]

Hi, I am looking for any experience between the two independent schools. They both are amazing schools and different with IB and A levels. My son is going to join in 13+ and difficult to figure which would be the best option for him. I understand IB is loads of pressure too but don't think if student need to be bookworm to get through the IB pressure. Please share your thoughts for which would be the best to go ahead with. Thank you!

Those are two very different schools in very different places. Would he board at Sevenoaks? What would his commute be like to City (and Sevenoaks if not boarding)? Is he sporty? The on-site sports facilities are very different at the two schools. Does he (and do you) prefer mixed or single sex? Both schools are very academic and I’m sure are fast-paced and pressured at times, so I’d be looking more at the other experiences the schools could provide.

Are you going for day places at both? For us, the choice was easy - we loved Sevenoaks and the facilities and the calmness. We felt City was too cramped especially for a sporty boy and the students/parents quite academically oriented. DS is an all rounder and loves to do different activities, so Sevenoaks suits him better. Academically I would say both have equally good results.

If your DS has a wide range of interests and will get involved in everything a big school has to offer, I would recommend Sevenoaks, if not City.